Dr. Charles Stanley, senior pastor of First Baptist Church Atlanta and founder of In Touch Ministries, has passed away. For over five decades, he served the First Baptist Atlanta congregation, assuming the role of Senior Pastor in 1971, becoming the church’s 16th pastor since its founding in 1848. Under his leadership, the church experienced remarkable growth.
Born in Dry Fork, Virginia in 1932, Dr. Stanley became a prominent figure in religious broadcasting. He established In Touch Ministries in 1977 with the goal of sharing the Gospel’s message globally. His sermons, podcasts, and devotionals reached over 115 million homes weekly across more than 126 countries. At the time of his death, his ministry’s broadcasts were accessible worldwide via radio, shortwave, and television. In the United States alone, his television program aired on 204 stations and seven satellite networks, while his radio program reached 458 stations and utilized shortwave radio. His contributions to religious broadcasting were recognized with his induction into the National Religious Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1988. A prolific author, he penned over 60 books, including several New York Times bestsellers. He also served two terms as president of the Southern Baptist Convention during the 1980s.
Dr. Stanley is survived by his children, Becky and Andy, the latter being the founder and senior pastor of Northpoint Ministries. Andy described his father as a role model for pastors. He was predeceased by his wife, Anna Stanley, who passed away in 2014.
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